1. Knowledge of dietary supplements and attitudes towards complementary medicine among university students : a cross-sectional studySara Bezak, Ksenija Baždarić, Lea Huzjak Horvat, Darko Lončarić, Vanja Brandić Mičetić, Sabina Fijan, Maja Šikić Pogačar, Sandra Kraljević-Pavelić, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Despite the increasing global consumption of dietary supplements (DS) and the growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), there is a significant gap in evidence-based knowledge and understanding of these practices among university students, particularly those in non-health-focused programs. This gap may lead to misconceptions, misuse, and unsafe practices, which necessitate targeted educational interventions. The presented cross-national comparative study assessed knowledge of DS and attitudes towards CAM among 809 university students from Croatia and Slovenia, including health-focused and non-health-focused study programs by use of validated questionnaires. The study integrated DS and CAM within the same analytical framework. Assessed knowledge on DS was moderate, with an average of 71.2% correct answers. Slovenian students from health-focused studies achieved the highest scores, while Croatian students from non-health focused studies scored the lowest values. Misconceptions persisted across all groups, while usage of supplements was widespread. Attitudes toward CAM were overall mildly positive, where Slovenian students from health-focused studies reported the most favorable views. Attitudes were more strongly associated with supplement use than with knowledge, indicating that personal experience and cultural context shape perceptions more than formal education. Our findings challenge the usual assumption that higher knowledge automatically leads to rational health decisions.
Ključne besede: dietary supplements, complementary and alternative medicine, university students, knowledge, attitudes
Objavljeno v DKUM: 07.01.2026; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 0
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2. Exploring the inherent heterogeneity of vaccine hesitancy : a study of a childhood-vaccine-hesitant populationMonika Lamot, Andrej Kirbiš, Mitja Vrdelja, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Vaccine hesitancy and its determinants have been previously widely researched. Vaccine hesitancy has been defined as a continuum of attitudes, ranging from accepting vaccines with doubts to rejecting them. The present study aims to explore the heterogeneity of a childhood-vaccine-hesitant group by using a person-oriented approach-latent profile analysis. A non-representative cross-sectional sample of vaccine-hesitant Slovenians (N = 421, Mage = 35.21, 82.9% women) was used to identify differences based on their reliance on personal research (“self” researching instead of relying on science), overconfidence in knowledge, endorsement of conspiracy theories, complementary and alternative medicine, and trust in the healthcare system. The analysis revealed three profiles of vaccine-hesitant individuals. The most hesitant profile-vaccine rejecting-expressed the greatest reliance on personal research, expressed the highest endorsement of conspiracy theories and complementary and alternative medicine, showed moderate overconfidence in their knowledge, and expressed the highest levels of distrust in the healthcare system. We further found differences in sociodemographic structure and that the identified profiles differed in their attitudes regarding MMR, HPV, and Seasonal Influenza vaccinations. The present study demonstrates the heterogeneity of the vaccine-hesitant community and offers insights into some of the traits, which are crucial for designing pro-vaccine campaigns.
Ključne besede: vaccine hesitancy, heterogeneity, latent profile analysis, complementary and alternative medicine, CAM, conspiracy theories, trust in healthcare system
Objavljeno v DKUM: 21.08.2024; Ogledov: 101; Prenosov: 25
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3. Ideological differences in COVID-19 vaccine intention : the effects of trust in the healthcare system, in complementary and alternative medicine, and perceived threat from the diseaseMonika Lamot, Katja Kerman, Andrej Kirbiš, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Introduction: Politically left-leaning individuals are more likely to get vaccinated against COVID-19, although little is known about the mechanisms underlying the ideological differences in vaccination intentions. Understanding the extent to which trust in the healthcare system, in complementary and alternative medicine, and the perceived threat from the disease contribute to these disparities is crucial, as it could inform targeted interventions to address vaccine hesitancy across the political spectrum. Methods: The present cross-sectional study conducted among adults living in Slovenia (n = 858) examined the mediating role of trust in the healthcare system, trust in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and the perceived threat from the virus on COVID-19 vaccination intention. Results: We found that leftist ideology and trust in the healthcare system positively predicted vaccination intention, whereas CAM negatively predicted this intention. In addition, left-leaning individuals expressed greater trust in the healthcare system and lower trust in CAM, resulting in higher levels of COVID-19 vaccination intention. The serial mediation model confirmed that trust in CAM was a negative predictor, while trust in the healthcare system positively predicted perceived threat. Discussion: When dealing with vaccine hesitancy among right-oriented individuals, strategies should focus on enhancing trust in the healthcare system and critically evaluating the reliance on CAM.
Ključne besede: vaccine hesitancy, political ideology, percieved threat, trust, healthcare system, complementary medicine, alternative medicine
Objavljeno v DKUM: 08.04.2024; Ogledov: 293; Prenosov: 26
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